Blood & Scales - Nerd Squad

The party wakes up on the shore of a sandy beach with the startling image of the ocean high above you. Looking around you see a tropical forest, and water around the island, but absolutely nothing else in view besides yourselves.

Ioanna sends Tundi to the sky to get a view of the island but can see little other than forest. Walking to the edge of it you can see a trail and decide to follow.

After following the trail for awhile, you find some fruit, strange fruit that you've never seen before. Firn climbs a tree to gather some.

A little farther down, you blink, and Ferron disappears after traveling behind a tree. Trying to look for his tracks and sent leads to nothing, as if he disappeared into thin air. Then one by one, everyone begins to disappear. You try to keep eye contact and hold hands but as soon as you blink, the others disappear. Confidence is the last one left, alone in the woods, and she starts hearing voices. The voices are the voices of the group.

Everyone else feels themselves transported to a pitch black void. They feel a pressure, the sensation of floating. Then they blink, and they see into the forest again. However upon further examination, they realize they are seeing through Confidence's body. Everyone that is, minus Ferron.

After reconciling with what has happened Ioanna attempts to cast eldrich blast through Confidence and is shocked to find out that it works. Confidence tries to test her strength to see if Firn's strength has carried over.. but it definitely doesn't.

With nothing else to do, Confidence continues through the forest. As she does, she begins to make out the image of some sort of large structure through the trees. The structure appears to be some sort of temple, one that's been long forgotten about that the forest has begun to reclaim.

Confidence (and everyone else) begins to hear a voice in the forest.

Defiler.

Fool.

You wander from the mainland, you come to destroy our home. You come seeking secrets that should remain buried.

You come with the others.

Then from out of the forest, a yuan-ti bursts out of the forest and swings its sword in Confidence's direction. With the help of the group's magic, she manages to fend off this and two other Yuan-ti.

After defeating them you notice the door of the temple is ajar. A dragonborn limps out of the entrance, wounded and bloody. You recognize him immediately as Immeshar iRa'uel.

Seeing him in his weakened state you approach him. He seems suspicious, asks if you came to hunt him down, but he doesn't seem to recognize you.

Immeshar has blood on his arms from a self inflicted wound. There are letters written with a blade.

Save family with 5

and on the other arm

Destroy Aigrei

As you question him he seems to be experiencing some sort of memory loss as he can't even remember the names of his brother and niece (Aben iRa'uel and Ryn Abenxu iRa'uel). He carries the staff you've seen before and a leather gauntlet with metal woven in which Ioanna knows was not present in her vision. He tells you that his own men tried to kill him for the gauntlet. He asks for your advice.

Tell me traveler, what is worth more to you, the way you treat your allies, and loved ones moment per moment, or the ultimate good you're able to do with your life?

Who to you is a better person? A person who loves their spouse, gives offerings at temple, tends to their farm well, but is cowardly to oppose a cruel master who oppresses them

or a person who will slay and torture all who oppose, whom may even treat their friends with cruelty for the sake of dramatically improving the lives of thousands, freeing the slaves, and fostering a future for their people?

He gives you brief debate on the subject, but sensing your hesitancy to help him he becomes disinterested and uses the gauntlet to cast a spell on himself, though you know not what it does. Immeshar notices some Yuan-ti in the forest starting to move towards you and asks for your loyalty.

At this time, Confidence hears a voice from within the temple beckoning her to come. 

CON FI DANCE. YOU NEED TO LEAVE NOW

Confidence ducks quickly into the temple which seems to be another black void but she sees a figure that seems to be lit somehow. He is young and muscular and bald, with both dark and pale skin in patches on his body, specifically pale around his eyes which make his face extra expressive. He tells Confidence to let go of her surroundings, to swim upwards. To her surprise she begins to swim up and as they do, the man begins to turn into an orca whale. This is Dumuzi. Dumuzi asks Confidence to put her mind at peace but realizes all of the voices in her head are too loud, he addresses the PASSENGERS in her head and everyone feels a state of calm come over them. 

You wake up, yet again on the shores of a sandy beach. This time with Dumuzi next to you and an island on the horizon. There is a thin trail of sand that sits just above the waves that makes its way out to the island.

-Tricked crew into hiding aboard the boat

-Met Dario Gobleki, associate of Devin Seboya

-Odi spied on Dario while the other's stayed in the Master suite

-Spotted a whalefolk sharpening his sword on a a shipwreck

-Ship stops moving, wall of bubbles

-Whalefolk start pulling the boat down. PCs blow their cover and start to fight the whalefolk but are unable to stop them from pulling the ship under water

-Wake up on a tropical island beach

-Alone. All NPCs including Dario, Jarles, Aurelia, and Ursula are gone, with the exception of Ferron.

Imma throws on a towel quietly and makes her way over to Ioanna to alert her about the potential threat. They make their way to Firn, Odi, and Ferron while debating whether to fight or run, with Confidence's sleep ultimately being prioritized. Odi wakes up Jarles. 

Ioanna is able to hide herself and spy on the group as they begin to ascend the stairs. There are eight men, with covered faces and large swords. As they get to the top of the stairs Ioanna uses mind sliver on the first man, causing him scream out in pain and falls back into the other men. They're surprised at first but seeing Ioanna they regain their composure and begin to rush, being suddenly bombarded by attacks. Only moments after the initial clash, three men suddenly turn and attack the other mercs. An attack by Jarles sends them all tumbling down to the bottom of the stairs where the fight resumes. The three traitors fight with your group against the remaining 3 mercs and one by one you take them out, leaving one mercenary alive to be questioned. Firn holds back the traitors from killing the remaining man. 

Odi casts zone of truth. One of the traitors tells Odi that they can't risk keeping this man alive, as he would put their lives in jeopardy. Odi asks him to wait till they ask the merc a few questions. 

Who sent you?

"Sighota sends his regards"

What was your mission?

"We were sent to take you out in your sleep"

He doesn't know any other information about why he was sent to kill you, but guesses that you've made some powerful enemies in this city. Odi asks him what he would do if you left him go and he replies "I would go back to Sighota, inform him that we have failed and advise him to root out the rats within our ranks."

The traitors inform you that they can't allow this man to leave alive, but that they also must kill Ursula and her daughter as they were the ones that sent for the assassination. When asked who hired them, they answer that Sighota also hired them, but that their loyalty is superseded by loyalty to a "cunning young lady, named Ivette" 

Odi offers to take Ursula and Aurelia with you overseas to spare them. You advise the traitors to come back to Sighota and report that the other men betrayed them and allowed you to get away. 

The traitor mentions that Ivette will meet you at the docks before you go, if you are open to it. 

The traitor mercs leave. You approach Ursula and Aurelia and begin to question them, quickly finding out that Ursula bought in to the narrative that your group are working for the elves to destroy the other factions. Unable to dissuade her you find that her daughter is much more agreeable and is just happy to be escaping this whole mess alive. Furthermore Aurelia seems exited to finally be leaving this island. 

You decide you'll put Ursula, Aurelia, and Firn in crates since they would be the most difficult to hide, and you'll pack them on board the ship when you sneak on. 

At 8am Firn goes to wake up Confidence and collectively you give her the run down on the events of the night. You're now ready to head to the ship. 

Meanwhile Tundi intercepts a carrier pigeon successfully down by the docks. It says that Isabella Maveli will be awaiting the boat at the estate, and that they have already sent word to the crown. Odi attempts to forge a note using the style of this letter. He writes that the couple made a stop within the city and will be arriving momentarily. 

Having dropped off Cherbalee and Karris the six of you, plus Jarles, discuss ideas on how to get off of Crandlewood.

Jarles presents some options:

• Get hired as security on a ship
• Stowaway
• Pay for passage

You decide to head back to Ursula's Bar & Inn and offer to pay for a room for Jarles.

When you get to Ursula's the inn is cleared of people except for Aurelia As you begin to check out she takes a moment and then offers you a deal, she'll check out the entire floor for you and give you privacy so you can have less sharing per room. You agree and Ioanna gives her 2 Katspr for the floor.

Firn gives a lightly veiled threat to Jarles not to betray them, but he calmly tells the group he has no reason to switch sides and looks forward to returning home.

The group, minus Jarles, meet in a single room upstairs to go over some things by yourselves. Ioanna, Ferron, Firn, and Confidence explain to Odi and Imarra that they killed Sigeric Maveli, and listened in to a meeting of the Ravensquill Association (leaving out the murder of Luta Alrik) while they were separated. They discuss that not everyone was on Sigeric's side and that they hope that leaving the quill in Sigeric's wound may start some infighting.

Everyone goes down to the bar and Ferron buys everyone drinks. Odi asks if Ursula herself is in but Aurelia says that her mother is out on some errands tonight. Odi buys hot toddys for everyone and teacher Aurelia how to make the drink.

Confidence starts playing a new song that she wrote about a pirate girl named Celia. Ferron tears up, remembering his daughter.

After Ferron gets a bit drunk he suggests a new idea how you will all be able to leave. Sigeric had a ship, and it should still be docked down at the Wharf , he suggests stealing it. The group discusses the pros and cons of capturing the ship, which would still need a capable crew to sail it and you can't simply hold the crew hostage since you don't want word to get out that you were the ones who stole it, implicating yourselves with Sigeric's murder.

You come up with a plan to disguise yourselves as the Archduke and Archduchess, with the rest coming along in other service disguises. Ioanna also decides to use Tundi to guard against possible messenger pigeons that might carry the word that Sigeric is dead.

Imarra and Ferron are chosen to go investigate the ship and speak to the crew. Firn hangs behind them to make sure they are safe.

Reference for Sigeric's boat The Second Knot

Imarra, Ferron and Firn make it down to the dock and head towards Sigeric's boat. Second Knot. A man sits aboard the ship, asleep in a chair near a lantern. Imarra tells him that the Archduchess isn't feeling well and that they'll be heading back home in the morning. He tells you the captain's name is Captain Bruno and he can be found over in the Boat Bar in the Briny District.

They start heading towards the Briny District, through the city center and see an incredibly large raven take off from its perch on a statue. They make their way through to the Briny District, past the alarming amount of soldiers throughout KAAHRP District and head down to the Boat Bar in Cove Rot. A bartender points you to a man in the back of the bar sitting at a table with a young boy. Captain Bruno is incredibly drunk and the young boy translates his drunken gibberish. They ask Bruno what needs to happen for the boat to leave the port and he "replies" that he'll have to talk to the officer at the KAAHRP Navel Office when it opens in the morning. Bruno pays for his enormous tab and Imarra, Ferron, and Firn head back to the inn.

Everyone heads to bed but Imarra who starts up a bath. Imarra gets settled in but is interrupted by sounds coming from downstairs. She can just make out the voices of Aurelia and her mother Ursula.

Oh. Hi mum. I did what you said, they have the whole top floor. I think they should be asleep now.

Alright good. The rest are outside, make sure you give them a nice brew once their done. It's awfully early for this sort of thing.

Firn, Confidence, and Ioanna rush into the hallway where Odi and Imarra are fighting armed guards. 

With the full party, you are able to defeat two of the guards and you order the third guard to drop his sword. He does so. You push him into the next room and drag in the other bodies.

You all come into the service room where you find the two elves who are gagged and bound. Cherbalee and Karris. You free them from their constraints and they quickly tell you about how they were kidnapped and brought in a carriage to the dungeon of this mansion. The guards accused them of spying on the archduke, and other lies but they wouldn't listen to anything they had to say.

You strip the dead guards of their armor and begin to outfit the elves with it in order to hide their identities and species.

Karris tells you that a serviceman tried to force them to change into some grubby outfits and he had knocked the serviceman out, but when Sigeric came down later he stepped on the serviceman's neck until he stopped moving.

Ioanna asks the remaining guard's name. Jarles tells you and agrees to help you try and escape the mansion. He tells you that you can either go up to the attic and then head down to the other side of the house, or go through a bedroom across the hall and go straight down. He says the carriages are held south of the estate about a ten minute walk away.

Jarles guides you up through the service hallway you fought in and out into the chaotic hallway connecting to the vestibule. There is screaming and crying and yelling everywhere. People are clumped up, trying to push their way out. Payton Twoorb sees Confidence and approaches, clearly panicking and trying to follow you all out. Ioanna takes advantages of the chaos and pushes Payton away and he falls over a couch. Confidence uses knock to gain entry to the bedroom off of the Library and you see a young couple, sheltering behind the bed, they scream as you all enter, but the group moves past them and tries not to engage them. You leave the room and head to the stairway across the hall going downwards.

You enter into an antichamber and approach a guard blocking the exit. He informs you that nobody is allowed to leave the mansion and that there are cannons pointed towards the entrances with order to shoot if anybody tries to leave.

You leave again, going back down to the room with the stairs and open the trap door into the basement. The trap door leads into the kitchen and you find your way over to a room to the south of the kitchen which is dark and open, and filled with the metal barrels of blood. Several of the barrels are being drained out in a large grate in the floor. There is also a large desk with some alchemy equipment similar to what you saw in Rasmus's lair as well as some documents. Confidence grabs one and Ferron grabs another paper.

Firn and Ferron start moving boxes to create a barricade in front of the entrance and you decide to try and exit via the sewer pipes. Firn easily pops the grate of the sewer drain off and one by one you start to head into the sewer. The elves are deeply disturbed by the blood that coats the walls and floor of the sewer.

You follow the pipes for what seems like ages. The exit, blocked by another grate, shoots out over the river that you passed on your way there. Jarles jumps out and immediately is struggling to stay above water with the armor. The current is stronger and the river is deeper than you expect and Ioanna rushes to help him. Odi uses phantom steed again to catch up to Jarles and Ioanna who are both able to grab onto the elk to pull themselves above water. The elves take off their armor before jumping in and eventually everyone is able to make it back to to the river bank.

You head back towards the mansion now and Jarles leads towards the lot of carriages and the stable. You're able to get there and take your carriage back, and you ask Jarles if he wants to be taken back to Crandlewood, he accepts your invitation and hops in with you.

On the road back everyone talks a bit. Jarles tells you that he's going to head back home to Babbenburg and if you ask around you will likely meet his family with the last name Turess.

Confidence and Ioanna read the letters they found on Sigeric's desk.

Sigeric's Letter

Itzal's Letter

From these letters you find out a few important things:

• Sigeric was planning on presenting a motion to the Ravensquill Association on the existence of several powerful magical items
• Rasmus Vasa had been excavating a tomb on the island of Mathis and found evidence of such an item, but found it missing
• Sigeric expects that Immeshar iRa'uel may have used the magic items to aid in gathering soldiers and ascending to leadership of the Azhiraxu
• These magic items are known as the Vestiments of Attagat and are related to the ancient Sorcerer-king turned Isoxu called Attagat
• The Aigrei created a group of their own magical items to counter Attagat's. These are known as the Vestiments of Komany
• While nobody knows where the remaining Vestiments of Attagat are, Itzal mentioned that at least one of the Vestiments of Komany lies on the island of Yuliaelus which Itzal cites as the homeland of the Mielu, after Confidence repeats this word out loud, Cherbalee remarks that it is the endonym of the Tabaxi people in this world
• 
  

After another three hours, you head back into Crandlewood, drop off the carriage in the Morningstar District and head back to KAAHRP District to reunite Karris and Cherbalee with Aisla

Attic: Firn, Ioanna, and Confidence continue listening into the secretive room. There are footsteps, proceeded by what sounds like thunder from within the room.

The persons in the room voice their displeasure with Sigeric Maveli. Another references Devin Seboya in association with their organization.

1st Floor: Odi, Imarra, and Ferron head back out into the vestibule. Odi pretends to chastise the others to disguise their unorthodox entrance. Isabella Maveli is on her knees and crying, being comforted by a serviceman. The door opens from the dining room and Sigeric Maveli walks out and approaches his wife while speaking to the crowd. He tells the crowd that the perpetrator of the murder of a serviceman was caught and that there was no further danger. He encourages his guests to enjoy the party. Sigeric and Isabella heads away from the group to the South Ward. Odi offers his condolences to Sigeric and asks if he can be any help but Sigeric brushes him off.

Attic: Ioanna attempts to quietly open the door to the secret meeting but is surprised to find her hand in an immense jolt of pain after touching it. Firn moves around to the opposite side of the room which features a similar door. The conversation inside continues, speaking on the merits of backing a single faction within Crandlewood to unify the city and increase its trade value throughout the bay.

1st Floor: Pascal is spotted by Odi, unaware of the hole that has come undone in his pants. Odi approaches him and Pascal laments about Karmen Kenezzar and the death of his former boss Rasmus Vasa. He says he is at the party hoping to gain favor from Sigeric and others in the The Conclave.

Imarra comes across two women who are gossiping about the murder. They're both from the Stormfair district and seem to thrive in the political chaos the Conclave finds themselves in. They mention that the Stormfair having been militarizing themselves lately as well.

Attic: Ioanna casts prestidigitation outside the door of the room to sound like a crying baby. Someone inside remarks that perhaps Sigeric knocked up a maid and is keeping them in the attic. They pressure someone named Luta to go investigate as "he is the youngest". The door opens, then closes and they hear footsteps coming towards them. Luta is a very tall, thin man, perhaps in his early 40s with long black hair.

Confidence uses suggestion and tells him to "stop walking and tell us everything that happened tonight". He tells them his full name, and says that he was there for the meeting itself, separate from the party. He spills that Sigeric was planning on framing the murder of his serviceman on elves that they had captured from the city. He would expose the murder to the crowds and use it as an excuse to rally their anger against a common enemy. Confidence asks if the Duchess Isabella was in on the rouse and Luta she is not.

Ioanna asks about the meeting. Luta says the organization meets all over the Bay of Kamard. Sigeric and Devin are both council members but there is no designated leader. He says all the members present tonight are from the immediate area with the exception of Sarai Leng from Jornbury.

1st Floor: Odi regroups with Imarra and notices that Ferron has followed Pascal into the ballroom. Odi then approaches Peronell Morningfall and warns her about the poison wine. Peronell hints that the person that she has been tracking works closely with a person that has been responsible for setting up the new sap trade within Crandlewood. That person is Devin Seboya. Imarra follows Ferron into the ballroom and watches as he slips into a room adjacent to the ballroom. Imarra attempts to create coded message to Odi pointing towards the room using food on the buffet table. Imarra then enters the room and notices it looks like someone fell directly through the center table, smashing it. She opens a door in the back of the room and hears footsteps going up a staircase, Imarra pursues.

2nd Floor: Imarra makes her way up to the 2nd floor and finds Ferron pushing Pascal against a bookshelf with a knife against his throat.

1st Floor: Odi tries to convince a footman that a child he was responsible for ran down into the basement.

Attic: Firn successfully knocks out Luta and he crumples down. Firn and Ioanna take him around the corner and Confidence uses disguise self to don the appearance of Luta. The door of the room opens again and they hear a voice. "Luta?!? Did you adopt the fucking baby?"

Ioanna and Firn finds a pouch of gold and a black feather with a notch at the end.

Confidence walks into the room, it is ornate and tidy and completely unlike the rest of the spaces in the Attic. There are large ceramic pots similar to the ones you saw on the ships and you see four flickering lights on the wall that look unlike any flame or magical lights you've ever seen. The secret group carry on their conversation, debating on whether to foster Crandlewood and help it grow or to abandon it and let it crumble, putting their resources elsewhere.

Ioanna and Firn stash Luta in a hole of unfinished flooring. They manage to successfully put him in under the floor just in time for a serviceman to notice the two and approach them. The awkward serviceman tells them they are going to have to leave for the lower floors but Firn lunges at the man and knocks him out as well, gagging and tying him and stashing him out near the defensive hallways facing the outside walls.

2nd Floor: Imarra walks into the room and acts as if she is interrupting. Pascal pleads her to stop him and Ferron tells her not to interfere. Imarra informs Pascal about the hole in his pants. Ferron presses Pascal on what else lies in the dungeon of this building and Pascal reveals that the barrels of blood are there. Ferron asks Imarra if she has any issues with him killing Pascal and begins to strangle him. Imarra fails to convince him to stop.

Odi notices Imarra's coded message at last and follows the trail of cheese towards the room. He rushes up the stairs and pulls Ferron off of Pascal. Odi slaps Ferron and reprimands him for risking the whole group. Ferron sighs and kicks Pascal in the face.

Odi casts command on Pascal and tells him to go home. Pascal groans, slowly picks himself off the ground and leaves the room.

Attic: Confidence is asked what "his" opinions are of Sigeric's request to assist with the Crandlewood takeover. They say that since his city is notably in danger of being overtaken by the elves. Ioanna places the notched feather in a hole by the door handle and a loud clack is heard. The room falls silent and a man stands to investigate. Ioanna manages to hide but peeks through the crack in the door and uses misty step to displace herself into the room next to Confidence. A man in the rooms reasons with the group that it wouldn't take an outlandish amount of investment to aid The Conclave to kick out the Aigrei . He guesses they would suffer 100 casualties maximum. The man calls a vote to the group, citing a passage that claims they are 6 of the 30 members of the Ravensquill Association . Everyone votes, minus Sigeric who is still out, but they put a "pass" token in for Sigeric since he put forth the motion in the first place. The man also seems surprised that Sarai Leng votes in favor of the Archduke. After the vote they call the meeting to a close, and the group leaves with Confidence hanging back, claiming to catch up with the others soon. Confidence and Ioanna investigate the room for anything interesting, they find a map of the greater Bay of Kamard.

1st Floor: Odi, Imarra, and Ferron return to the Ballroom. Tundi, in the form of a bird signals to Odi, via a clock, that something is happening in 15 minutes. They make their way into the service hallway and wander through the various rooms until they find a staircase descending downwards. It leads to a large sturdy, steel enforced door. It is locked.

Attic: Realizing now that the Ravensquill Association is much larger than you originally thought, Firn, Ioanna, and Confidence agree they need to kill Luta since he's seen their faces. Firn does the deed and leaves the body down below the Attic floor. The trio wander until they eventually make their way down to the same staircase as the others, rejoining the group.

Basement: Ferron manages to pick the lock and the group heads down into the basement. You see an empty, blood stained torture rack and a hallway with rooms that have barred entrances. In one of the rooms you find the body of what looks like a serviceman. In the cell next to him you see a large figure sitting on a cot. He is a large, blue Azhiraxu. He claims that he works for Sigeric and that he's only in the cell for his own safety. The group finds this unusual but since they don't find the elves you rush out of the basement and head back upstairs.

1st Floor: You head back into the vestibule, Odi casts fine steed and rides a spectral elk into the room. You burst into the vestibule into what seems like a quiet room. The crowd is gathered around the hostess who explains again through gritted teeth that she's sure you, the honored guests would love to join them on the 2nd floor.

2nd Floor: In the upper vestibule you see a stage area and Sigeric stands, with guards on either side of him. The entire group minus Odi try to create as much ruckus as possible while Odi rushes past the duke, guided by locate creature.

Odi opens a door into a service hall to find three armed guards who tense up upon seeing him. Imarra follows Odi into the hallway and tries to convince them that the Archduke is under attack. They refuse to budge and Imarra and Odi engage in combat.

As Sigeric commands the room to silence the rest of the party moves to surround him.

Hello again my friends. Apologies once more for the distress you may have been caused but I assure you my family and staff are well. My footman Seril is being treated for injuries to the best of our ability. I will not make light of the situation and tell you that things have been going well for Crandlewood and the island Nel. We sit at a pivotal moment of our collective histories, eight districts have held peace for 75 years but over and over again we find ourselves, the hardworking men and women of Crandlewood fighting for our freedom from outsider politics and law. Some of you may even view me as a foreigner, but my family has owned this land for generations, and though many of my responsibilities lie on Sver, I dedicate my life to serving the virtues and liberty of cities… human cities just like this, that thrive in a function that no Aigrei settlement could ever hope to achieve. I say that the events that transpired this week must be put to a stop. We need a return to normalcy, or pending that, I personally pledge to fight for change to secure our city from invaders once and for all. Does anybody wish to join my pledge?

Sigeric says

change of plans

while glaring at them. Then Ioanna casts darkness.

Ferron lunges at Sigeric and knocks him off the stage, onto his back, stabbing him in the gut. Ioanna, Confidence, and Firn take turns stabbing, shooting, and whispering to Sigeric how awful of a person he is. Sigeric and his guards are never able to regain their composition and finally Ferron makes the final move.

These are the eyes that watched all the destruction you caused and did nothing.

Ferron stabs Sigeric in the eyes.

And this is the throat that uttered the words that killed my daughter.

Ferron slashes Sigeric's throat. As a final motion, Ioanna takes out the featherquill and stabs it into the wound in Sigerics neck, leaving it for the crowd to see.

The group rushes off into the darkness and run into the hallway where Odi and Imarra are fighting the guards. A collective scream is heard behind you. Having been overpowered, Odi pushed into the room where he sensed the elves being held and used Grandpappy's Fence to create a barrier in between him and the guards.

continued in part 3...

Imarra finds a Red Cedar Cape under some collapsed shelves and Ioanna goes to unlock a coffin that was left last time you were there... a coffin that had some weight to it. Opening it you find Ivette Domineus, delerious and dehydrated, but alive. You immediately bring her back to the surface and call Karmen Kenezzar over to help. Ferron sticks by her side the whole time. Karmen has one of her aides send for Che.

Meanwhile Odi finds another disturbing sight down in the labs, a dead pseudodragon, this one golden among the shards of broken glass. Jar

acknowledges that there were once many being held captive there, then only two. Jar approves the idea of burying their dead.

Born from earth. Return to earth. Return to mother alligator.

You bury the pseudodragon in the courtyard above.

Che arrives at the headquarters and rushes over to his daughter, thanking you for finding her but saying he wants to detangle her from the danger you have brought. He hands you a letter addressed to you, that was given to him this morning under his door. It is an invitation to Archduke Sigeric Maveli's Estate for a party and banquet. Karmen gives you payment for clearing out the labs and offers a discount at a local tailor for proper non-elven party-garb. After picking up some decent threads, the party decides to make a quick stop by Pascal's house and finds it, yet again, empty. After some scouting you do manage to find a similar invitation to Sigeric's party and some nice clothes laid out on the bed. Firn makes a light cut in the back hem.

You head to the stables and Karmen has arranged for your travel via stagecoach. You decline a driver and drive yourselves.

You head up north through the woods towards the Maveli estate untill you see a strange sight, the color of blood, diluted in the river. As you continue north you notice a horse and cart with four guards walking alongside. You keep out of sight but eventually decide to pass them.

You begin to make your way past the vast Maveli Estate and their sugarcane plantation and vineyard. You stash the coach for awhile to do some reconaissance before making a grand entrance. Firn rides on top of the coach as Confidence blasts out a tune. An unamused housekeeper approaches you and offers to have someone take your ride, and if you want a tour of the premesis. She takes you through a few rooms but eventually you press her buttons enough that she leaves you alone. The party searches the Grand Hall before some commotion in the adjacent room stops you. In walks your host Sigeric Maveli

and his wife Isabella MaveliThe party decides to take his advice and heads to the lawn where you are split into three groups with other party guests. Ioanna and Firn are partnered with Cassius de Bolbec and Alys de Bolbec , who are known for being part of the Iron Lords . Odi and Ferron are partnered with Millicent Boulderdown , and Peronell Morningfall . Millicent is from Trastamara but Peronell stays oddly quiet. Lastly Confidence and Imarra are partnered with Payton Twoorb and Robin Glorybuff , two young men from the Conclave District who Confidence and Imarra are immediately repelled by.   Ioanna and Firn find out that their partners are nervously hoping to gain favor of members of The Conclave should a dramatic political upheval take place.   Odi and Ferron find out that Peronell was following Millicent looking for somebody from Eastern Karmard at this party who may be trying to cause trouble. She doesn't beleive Millicent is that person.   Confidence and Imarra find out that Peyton and Robin are even bigger tools than they thought they were and thoroughly enjoy making them look like fools by sabotaging their swings.   After croquettes the banquet is announced to be open and party guests begin to funnel in the house to get food. Odi decides to try and sneak into the Kitchen and manages to witness the chefs alude to a particular bottle of wine that is poison and should not be revealed till later. Odi is caught and ushered back out. Ioanna, Firn and Confidence decide to see how far they can get exploring the house by just acting like they are looking for Sigeric and manage to get pretty far, making their way past several housekeepers and onto the second floor and then into the attic where they find a suspicious room where they identify the voice of Sigeric Maveli   Odi probes some guests and finds that several of them have a fear about change coming to Crandlewood but know that things are about to boil over. Odi, Ferron, and Imarra head through a service door and hide amongst an empty laundry room. Outside they hear running through the hallway and a shreik as a woman runs into the vestibule, tearfully claiming a footman was slain by an Elf trespassing in the south wing.   Above in the attic Firn hears a voice in the room say "It's time".

It is late as you make your way on to the wharf. A young Aigrei soldier mans the gondola and condesendingly implies that things are much safer now that the Aigrei have control of the docks. You walk through the city, much emptier than you had experienced before, until you run into a familiar face in the abandoned bar where you slew Tulio Fonstiwere only a couple days before. Che , the father of Ivette sits at the bar with his face buried in his arms and a drink at his side. You wake him and he tells you that he's been out looking for his daughter, who hasn't come home since the ball two nights ago. You agree to keep an eye out for her while you are in the city. Next you go to see Daylor Kenezzar . He fills you in on how things have been in Crandlewood since you left, and why the building next to his still smoulders from a fire. Daylor lets you crash for the night at his flat, and arranges for a meeting with his sister Karmen Kenezzar , now installed again as leader of the The Morningstar District .

Firn wakes up first the next morning to a tapping at the window. She gets up quickly and heads over to find a crow, with more perched on the roof behind them. Confidence seems to be extremely hungover and the rest of you feel quite groggy. Kelvin stands outside the door and Odi attempts to explain the concept of brunch to him. Ioanna opens the window to see the crow and manages to have Firn catch it and hold it.   At last, you head down to the boat, witnessing a magical tattoo parlor on your way. She asks the tattoo artist how much a large tattoo like that costs. "This one costs a forest". Ioanna asks Kelvin what that means and he responds that the pine-like currency will form into a leaf, which will combine with other leaves to become what is called a "tree". Many trees become a forest.   Kelvin accompanies you as you head back onto the boat to Crandlewood and you are each given your own rooms aboard the vessel for the 12 hour journey. Odi spends time with Jar and he tries to encourage jar to hone his breath weapon. Ioanna tries to interact with the crow but finds it doesn't seem to be able to talk or show any sign of intelligence.   Everyone is able to get a full rest and sober up on the boat. Ferron asks more about what is waiting for you all once you get back. He says that if there is a way for him to accompany you all back to your world he might consider it, since there is little left for him in this one.   Firn studies the boatswain giving orders to his crew for awhile. Odi takes nice long shower. Ioanna asks Ferron to help her unlock a chest in the cannon chamber of the boat. They steal a couple fancy looking iridescent robes.   You hear shouting up above and Ioanna sends Tundi to fly out and look. On the horizon two ships are heading straight towards yours. The crew seems alarmed and begins to pivot away. They have purple flags, which would align them with the Stormfair . Kelvin tries to usher you down below decks so that you don't cause trouble. After a few minutes a bell starts ringing above deck, and you see one of the ships begins to flank your ship. You hear the stormfair captain calling out to the elves. They seem to know that the boat is carrying distinguished guests and they are holding the boat hostage until they can take them as captives.   Through some collaboration of your party, you decide to try and trick the humans that Confidence is a bonefide isoxuatua and that attacking your vessel would incur the wrath of the Isoxu Zamak. You tell your plan to Kelvin and he says that while he believes in you, he can't let you out. You knock him out. Confidence bursts out out the hull, calling to the Stormfair and telling them to stop. Ioanna shoots Eldrich Blast behind her and Confidence manages to sell the speech.   A figure rises from the deck of the other ship, antlers rising from their head. He draws a bow, and then lowers it.   The captain calls out and says they have reconsidered their advance. They wish Confidence a safe trip and begin to sail away.   The rest of your journey goes smoothly, and you arrive at Crandlewood as the sun sets on the cloudy seas. As you sail into the bay, you see things are very much as they were when you left, Aigrei warships line the harbor and smoke lingers above the city.

Still in the library, Firn begins to grow impatient. As she starts knocking artifacts off of shelves Olgarch suggests it might be time for you to leave. Odi takes note that Ferron seems incredibly engrossed in the novel he was reading, "A Liaison in Lasias " by a Melisende Nuno .   Asking what your shopping goals are for the day, Kelvin guides you to an Apothecary. Allivand's Apothecary . The titular Allivand offers the group a punch card for future purchases. Allivand is impressed by Firn and asks her if she's "been there", giving the group a bonus 20% off of purchases for the day.   Odi stops into a bookstore nearby and find that the shopkeep is not present but working "remotely". The shopkeep who identifies himself as Garlock voice guides Odi to a set of the books Ferron loves so much, along with some bookmarks.   The party sells off some of their extra jewles gifted to them by Moritz and Veia Linory , and then heads off down to a blacksmith.   After going on a bit of a buying spree you go back to the guest suites and enjoy some of the free food and drink left out for you. Ferron speaks with you about plans for returning to Crandlewood, and the potential reckoning with Archduke Sigeric Mavely .   As you talk, Ferron does mention a few details of the world that you hadn't heard before. The Ilse of the Damned is the land where the Panther Isoxu Enzu lives, and also where the Tabaxi seem to be. Another detail is that there are two ferrymen who bring the souls of the dead to the afterlife. Their names are Muagu , and Lamash-ti . They are both former humans who are now Isoxu, along with Attagat . Ioanna met Lamash-ti previously when she was having visions in the aftermath of speaking the phrase of the curse.   Ferron also mentions the existence of the "people of the forrest", giants, and people of the sea.   The party decides to head back out to the tavern for the evening. With some help from her friends, Confidence is able to succesfully flirt with an elven woman, however they have to make due with finding a room upstairs as Kelvin won't let the group separate for long. You head back to the guest suites... late... but having had a good bit of fun for once.